NYS Association of CASAC Professionals:
Code of Ethics
Upholding Integrity Through Ethical Practice
As part of the NYS Association of CASAC Professionals, members commit to the highest standards of our code of ethics and ethical care. The Code of Ethics ensures that CASACs prioritize client welfare, maintain confidentiality, practice cultural humility, and act with professional integrity. By adhering to these principles, CASACs strengthen both the profession and the communities they serve.
Code of Ethics
Upholding CASAC integrity, client welfare, confidentiality, and cultural competence.
NYS Association of CASAC Professionals – Code of Ethics
Preamble
As Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselors (CASACs), we are entrusted with the responsibility to serve individuals, families, and communities impacted by substance use and co-occurring disorders. Members of the NYS Association of CASAC Professionals agree to uphold the highest standards of ethical practice, cultural humility, and professional integrity.
1. Client Welfare & Professional Conduct
- Always prioritize the safety, dignity, and rights of clients.
- Practice within your scope of training, licensure, and certification.
- Avoid dual relationships and conflicts of interest.
- Maintain clear, professional boundaries at all times.
2. Confidentiality
- Respect and uphold confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA, 42 CFR Part 2, and OASAS guidelines.
- Disclose client information only with written consent or when legally mandated.
3. Cultural Competence & Equity
- Provide services that honor the cultural, racial, gender, and spiritual identities of clients.
- Commit to continuous learning to challenge bias and serve diverse populations ethically.
4. Professional Integrity
- Represent credentials honestly and accurately.
- Refrain from fraudulent billing, misrepresentation of services, or misuse of CEU credits.
- Report unethical conduct to appropriate authorities when necessary.
5. Commitment to Professional Growth
- Maintain current knowledge through continuing education.
- Support and uplift the CASAC profession and fellow professionals.
- Engage in honest dialogue and constructive feedback to improve services.
Violation of this Code may result in review and possible loss of membership
Strengthening CASAC Professionals
Advance
Advance your professional growth through education, certification, and ongoing support. The NYS Association of CASAC Professionals provides members with access to approved trainings, leadership opportunities, and resources that strengthen skills and expand career pathways in New York’s behavioral health workforce.
Unify
Unify with peers across New York State to build a stronger, more connected profession. Membership creates opportunities to collaborate, network, and share expertise while fostering solidarity among CASACs who are committed to ethical standards and excellence in addiction counseling.
Advocate
Advocate for recognition, fair compensation, and workforce protections. Through collective action, the NYS Association of CASAC Professionals amplifies the voice of CASACs, engages with policymakers, and works to ensure every counselor is valued as an essential contributor to New York’s behavioral health system.
OASAS Canon of Ethics for Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC) Canon of Ethical Principles
Per OASAS Part 853.19 Credentialing of Addictions Professionals, the CASAC, CASAC-Trainee and CASAC-Provisional must:
1. Practice objectivity and integrity; maintain the highest standards in the services offered; respect the values, attitudes and opinions of others; and provide services only in an appropriate professional relationship.
2. Not discriminate in work-related activities based on age, race, creed, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, military status, sex, disability, predisposing genetic characteristics, familial status, marital status or domestic violence victim status or other basis proscribed by law.
3. Respect the integrity and protect the welfare of the person or group with whom the counselor is working.
4. Embrace, as a primary obligation, the duty of protecting the privacy of service recipients and must not disclose confidential information or records under their control in strict accordance with federal, state and local laws.
5. Not engage in dual relationships as defined in this Part 853.3(h). If a credentialed professional engages in conduct contrary to this prohibition or claims that an exception to this prohibition is warranted because of extraordinary circumstances, it is the credentialed professional who assumes the full burden of demonstrating that the former service recipient has not been exploited, coerced, or manipulated, intentionally or unintentionally.
6. Not engage in sexual activities or sexual contact with current or former service recipients (lack of consent is presumed).
7. Not engage in behavior that is harassing or demeaning, including, but not limited to, sexual harassment.
8. Not exploit service recipients or others over whom they have a position of authority.
9. Treat colleagues and other professionals with respect, courtesy and fairness and cooperate in order to serve the best interests of their service recipients.
10. Notify appropriate authorities, including employers and OASAS, when they have direct knowledge of a colleague’s impairment, Code of Conduct violations or misconduct which may interfere with treatment effectiveness and place service recipients and others at risk.
11. Recognize the effects of their own impairment on professional performance and must not provide services that create conflict of interest or impair work performance and clinical judgment.
12. Cooperate with investigations, proceedings, and requirements of OASAS or other authorities with jurisdiction over those charged with a violation of any statue, regulation or rule.
13. Not participate in the filing of frivolous ethics complaints or which have a purpose other than to protect the public.
14. Assure that financial practices are in accord with professional standards that safeguard the best interests of the service recipient, the counselor and the profession.
15. Take reasonable steps to ensure that documentation in records is accurate, sufficient and timely thereby ensuring appropriateness and continuity of services provided to service recipients.
16. Uphold the legal and accepted moral codes which pertain to professional conduct.
17. Recognize the need for ongoing education to maintain current competence, and to improve expertise and skills.
18. Acknowledge the limits of present knowledge in public statements concerning alcoholism and substance abuse. The Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor must report information fairly and accurately, acknowledging and documenting the materials and techniques used.
19. Assign credit to all who have contributed to the published material and for the work upon which publication is based.
20. Strive to inform the public of the effects of alcoholism and substance abuse. The Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor must adopt a personal and professional stance that promotes the well-being of the recovery community.
Commit to Ethical Excellence Today
Join the NYS Association of CASAC Professionals and stand with a community dedicated to integrity, accountability, and client-centered care. By upholding our Code of Ethics, you not only strengthen your professional credibility but also contribute to a healthier, more equitable New York.
